Biomedical Applications of Nitric Oxide- Releasing/Generating Polymers

Nitric oxide is secreted by vascular
endothelium and can inhibit the activation and
adhesion of platelets, prevent inflammation and
induce vasodilation. Polymers that continuously
produces NO at their surfaces
are expected to exhibit enhanced biocompatibility.
In this work, the biocompatibility of novel
NO-releasing/generating materials has been evaluated
via both in vitro and in vivo studies.
An in vitro platelet adhesion assay has been designed
to quantify platelet adhesion on polymer surfaces via
their lactate dehydrogenase content. Such an assay
can be employed as a preliminary screening tool in
the assessment of new NO-releasing/generating
materials. In addition, the first in vivo evaluation
of NO-generating polymers was conducted. The
generation of NO via the decomposition of endogenous
S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) showed enhanced
biocompatibility.
NO-generating polymers can also be utilized to
electrochemically detect
RSNO based on the decomposition to yield
NO. The advantage of the RSNO sensor is that
measurement can be made in whole blood samples
without any pretreatment, thereby minimizing any
artifacts associated with sample processing.

Autorentext
Dr. Yiduo Wu received his B.S. degree from Nanjing University and his Ph.D degree in chemistry from the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor. His research interests include biomaterials, bioanalytical chemitry and pharmaceutical solid-state chemistry. Dr. Wu is currently a Senior Scientist at SSCI, An Aptuit Company in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Klappentext
Nitric oxide is secreted by vascular endothelium and can inhibit the activation and adhesion of platelets, prevent inflammation and induce vasodilation. Polymers that continuously produces NO at their surfaces are expected to exhibit enhanced biocompatibility. In this work, the biocompatibility of novel NO-releasing/generating materials has been evaluated via both in vitro and in vivo studies. An in vitro platelet adhesion assay has been designed to quantify platelet adhesion on polymer surfaces via their lactate dehydrogenase content. Such an assay can be employed as a preliminary screening tool in the assessment of new NO-releasing/generating materials. In addition, the first in vivo evaluation of NO-generating polymers was conducted. The generation of NO via the decomposition of endogenous S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) showed enhanced biocompatibility. NO-generating polymers can also be utilized to electrochemically detect RSNO based on the decomposition to yield NO. The advantage of the RSNO sensor is that measurement can be made in whole blood samples without any pretreatment, thereby minimizing any artifacts associated with sample processing.